Modi in Kuwait highlights: PM Modi thanks Indian community for ‘Hala Modi’ event

PM Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to the Indian community for hosting him at the community programme in Kuwait. He also shared glimpses of the event in X.

“Attended the opening ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup. This grand sporting event celebrates the spirit of football in the region. I thank His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, for inviting me to witness this event,” said PM Modi in a post on X.

"A grand start to the Arabian Gulf Cup - football tournament in Kuwait. PM Narendra Modi joined the Amir, Crown Prince & PM of Kuwait as ‘Guest of Honour’ at the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait. PM joined the Kuwaiti leadership in celebration of sports & longstanding friendship between India & Kuwait," said Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: In his speech at the ‘Hala Modi’ event, the prime minister urged the Indian community in Kuwait to remain engaged in the development of India.

He added, “Vikshit Bharat will be incomplete without the support of the Indian diaspora.”

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: PM Modi, during his speech at the ‘Hala Modi’ event recalled Kuwait's help to the country during the pandemic and reflected on a phrase the Emir had told him that “India is the place to come to if you face difficulties.”

A member of the Indian diaspora told news agency ANI, that the speech by the prime minister was “magnificent”.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Kuwaiti singer Mubarak Al Rashed sang the song ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ after PM Modi's speech at the ‘Hala Modi’ event and said that he was proud of being Kuwaitian after hearing from India's PM.

“He (PM Modi) spoke about my country, Kuwait. He spoke about the relationship between the two countries. I feel proud of being Kuwaitian. He asked Kuwaitians to visit India,” he said.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: In a post on X, PM Modi lauded the “warmth and affection of the Indian diaspora in Kuwait” after addressing the ‘Hala Modi’ welcome event.

During his speech, the prime minister also praised the Indian community for their capabilities and said that even though they lived in Kuwait, their patriotism was inspiring.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: PM Modi , addressed a crowd of Indians in Kuwait, and spoke about the unique bond between the two countries.

"India was one of the first countries in the world to recognise Kuwait after its independence. So, visiting a country, a society with which I have so many memories... is very memorable for me. I am very grateful to the people of Kuwait and the Government here."

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Speaking to the Indian diaspora, PM Modi recalled when actor Dilip Kumar inaugurated the first Indian restaurant in Kuwait.

He went on to say, “Come to India and bring your Kuwaiti friends to experience the food as well.”

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuwait, PM Modi stated that Ayurveda was helping the world with wellness, when highlighting India's contributions towards the world in connection with technology and innovation.

“India's traditional medicine - Ayurveda and our Ayush products are prospering the World's wellness. Our knowledge system from Nalanda to IITs is providing strength to the World's knowledge system. Last year, during the G-20 summit, the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor was announced, this corridor is going to give a new direction to the world,” he said.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: In his address at the ‘Hala Modi’ event, PM Modi invited the Indian diaspora members to come visit India and experience the festival season, the Kumbh mela and Republic Day. He also encouraged them to promote travelling to India to Kuwaiti citizens as well.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: PM Modi addressing a crowd of Kuwait's Indian diaspora spoke about India's digital forward movement and stated that India had become digitally smart and this was only the beginning.

“Even for a cup of tea at a small stall, a person uses UPI in India. We have become digitally smart, and this is just the start,” he said.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: PM Modi addressed the ‘Hala Modi’ welcome event in Kuwait and talked about the strong relationship between the two countries, touching on the support of Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I remember that Kuwait sent us liquid oxygen supply when we were going through the COVID-19 pandemic, we are very grateful,” he said.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Speaking about the partnership between the two countries, PM Modi addressed the need for ‘skill, innovation, technology and manpower’ and how India is working towards providing that in partnership with countries like Kuwait, as well as other nations like Italy.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Taking a jibe at the previous governments, PM Modi stated that though his flight till Kuwait took only 4 hours, it had taken an Indian PM 43 years to reach the nation.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Talking about the historical relationship between Kuwait, PM Modi told the Indian diaspora during the ‘Hala Modi’ event that even in the 19th century Kuwait and India had robust trade relations.

“Our elders in Gujarat are a witness to how Kuwaiti traders learnt Gujarati, wrote books in it and traded their world famous pearls in our markets. We took supplied horses and many other items. There has been a long lasting relationship between our countries,” he said.

"We share the same sea, we share affection, trade and most importantly sensibilities," he added.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Addressing the ‘Hala Modi’ event in Kuwait, prime minister Modi stated that he was happy to see the diversity of people from India in Kuwait and called it a “mini-Hindustan”.

He added, “ The Kuwaiti government and its residents have a lot of respect for Indians when I talk to them. I want to celebrate your capabilities.”

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: As a part of his visit to Kuwait, prime minister Narendra Modi visited the Gulf Spic labour camp and enjoyed snacks and beverages with the Indian workers there.

PM Modi is on a 2-day visit to Kuwait at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait marking the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: PM Modi took to social media platform X to praise an Arabic translator and publisher for their translations of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

“Happy to see Arabic translations of the Ramayan and Mahabharat. I compliment Abdullah Al-Baroun and Abdul Lateef Al-Nesef for their efforts in translating and publishing it. Their initiative highlights the popularity of Indian culture globally,” he wrote.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Members of the Indian diaspora expressed their anticipation for PM Modi's adress in Kuwait to news agency ANI, during the ‘Hala Modi’ event.

"I have been living in Kuwait for the last 1.5 years. We all are very excited...There is a wave of excitement among the people to see PM Modi...", said one person.

Another member of the Indian diaspora told ANI, I am from Odisha and I have been living in Kuwait for the past 17 years. We all are here to listen to the address of PM Modi and we are very excited."

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: PM Narendra Modi will shortly address the community Event 'Hala Modi' at Shaikh Saad Al Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex. Crowds of Indian ex-patriates have gathered and are waving the Indian flag in his honour.

A performer for the event told ANI,"I am from Kerela and I was brought up here...We feel really honoured to be here and grateful for the opportunity to meet PM Modi."

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: In honor of PM Modi's visit to Kuwait, he will address the ‘Hala Modi’ event at the Shaikh Saad Al Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex, shortly.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: While PM Modi is visiting Kuwait for the first time to discuss cooperation in trade, defence and much more, previous engagements with Kuwait have also worked towards strengthening the bond between the two countries.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Kuwait in August. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, Abdullah Ali Al Hayya, also visited India recently on December 3-4.

Both the foreign ministers had earlier met in September this year on the sidelines of the inaugural India Gulf Cooperation Council Strategic Dialogue in Riyadh as well.

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: Members of the Indian diaspora gave PM Modi a hearty welcome, with a dance programme in his honor, while several of them chanted his name, “Vande Mataram” and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

PM in Kuwait Live Updates: On his arrival in Kuwait, PM Modi was warmly received by Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence & Interior of Kuwait.

"A new chapter in the making! PM @narendramodi arrives in Kuwait to a ceremonial welcome. Warmly received by H.E Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah First Deputy PM, Minister of Defence & Interior of Kuwait, H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, FM of Kuwait & several other Ministers & dignitaries at the airport," an MEA statement said on X.